Before I got married, my mom shared the secret to her long, happy marriage: “Don’t let the family dog outlove you.” She explained that no matter how hard the day was, the dog always greeted my dad with pure joy—while people sometimes forget to do the same. Her advice was simple: never forget to be glad your partner is home.
That lesson followed me through marriage, job loss, financial stress, distance, and even a life-threatening illness. Our rescue dog, Copper, showed us daily what unconditional love and loyalty looked like—steady, joyful, and present, even when life was heavy. Watching him reminded me that marriage isn’t built on grand gestures, but on small, consistent acts of care.
After surviving hardship, loss, and healing together, we learned that lasting love means choosing kindness, presence, and gratitude every single day. Because in the end, strong marriages aren’t about perfection—they’re about showing up and making the person you love feel welcome, every time they come home.
